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Rockies end 2012 with win over D-backs

Colorado uses unearned runs to beat Arizona

Associated Press

Posted:
10/03/2012 10:41:44 PM MDT

Updated:
10/03/2012 10:41:48 PM MDT

PHOENIX -- Jeff Francis earned his first victory in more than a month and the Colorado Rockies used two unearned runs to beat Ian Kennedy and the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 on Wednesday night to conclude disappointing seasons for both teams.

Francis (6-7) allowed a run on five hits in five innings in his first victory since July 27. He had gone 0-3 in six outings since then.

Third baseman Chris Johnson's throwing error in the fourth led to both of Colorado's runs. D.J. LeMahieu singled in a run for the Rockies.

A.J. Pollock hit his second big-league home run for Arizona.

Kennedy (15-12) gave up no earned runs, striking out eight and walking none. He was 4-0 in his previous six starts.

Matt Belisle got the final out in the ninth for his third save in 10 tries.

The Rockies took two of three to win a series at Chase Field for the first time since Sept. 20, 2009.

Despite the win, Colorado finished with a franchise-worst 98 losses in an injury-plagued season. Arizona, the defending NL West champion, finished 81-81, a fitting conclusion since the Diamondbacks were never more than four games above or five games below .500 all season.

Pollock's second home run of the season, leading off the third, barely cleared the wall over the outstretched glove of Charlie Blackmon to put Arizona up 1-0.

The Rockies took the lead with two unearned runs in the fifth. Blackmon was hit by a 1-2 pitch from Kennedy then Jordan Pacheco singled.

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Wilin Rosario hit a sharp grounder to third baseman Chris Johnson, who fielded the ball but threw wildly past second, allowing Blackmon to score and Pacheco to take third. Kennedy fanned the next two batters before D.J. LeMahieu brought in Pacheco with a single to put Colorado up 2-1.

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